World Youth Day 2002
500,000 Catholic Christian Youth, one incredible pro-life opportunity!
By Kevin Belgrave

T here is simply no better way to describe this summer's World Youth Day than to call it one of the single most important pro-life opportunities our country has ever seen. In just a few months, hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth from the four corners of the globe will descend on Toronto for this week-long celebration of faith. For this one short week, we will have the chance to impact many thousands of young people who have either lost sight of the essential link between their faith and the pro-life message, or have simply grown lukewarm to their obligation to respect and defend life. Young activists from around the world will have a chance to meet, share ideas and energy, and celebrate life in the streets, subways, and churches of Toronto.

Here is a preliminary rundown of some important pro-life events being planned for the week of World Youth Day. In addition to participating in the events themselves, individuals and even whole groups of pro-life youth can also register under a special "World Youth for Life" registration code to benefit from things like common sleeping arrangements and activities. More details on that follow the Events Line-Up.

World Youth Day 2002 Pro-Life Events Line-up

Sunday July 21 - all day

World Youth for Life Leaders' Convention: Living the Gospel of Life

Hosted by Toronto Right to Life & St. Michael's College Students for Life

A day of roundtable panel discussions on the life issues facing youth from around the world. The panel will include world-class pro-life leaders. Activities for the week of the Pope's visit will also be planned as a means of impacting fellow pilgrims with a positive pro-life message. An event not to be missed for both committed pro-life youth leaders and those hoping to spread the Gospel of Life with a sharper mind. Registration (includes lunch) is $35.

Monday July 22 - all day

World Youth for Life Day

Hosted by Toronto Right to Life
Olympic Island in the Toronto Islands Park

A day of high impact speakers including Camille De Blasi of the Center for Life Principles and Dolores Grier from the Archdiocese of New York along with amazing entertainment, all on Toronto's beautiful island park. A perfect way to get into

the World Youth Day spirit! The rally will also include a special welcome for hundreds of American Life League Crossroads youth as they end their nine-day walking pilgrimage from New Orleans to Toronto.

Pavilion of LIFE

Youth Festival at Exhibition Place
Hosted by the National Campus Life Network in collaboration with the Center for Life Principles and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Secretariat

Throughout the week of the Youth Festival, NCLN will be hosting a pro-life pavilion on the Exhibition grounds. The exhibit, centred on the message of the Gospel of Life, will highlight the Christian obligation to stand up and defend the dignity of the human person. The exhibit will feature kiosks where pilgrims can access information on abortion worldwide and explore fetal development. The Center for Life Principles will also be on site to share their incredible pro-life philosophy and pass out booklets to pilgrims.

Culture of Life Café
Hosted by the World Youth Alliance

The World Youth Alliance will give young people a tangible experience of the Culture of Life. Events featured throughout the week will include original art and photography exhibits, creation of an interactive mural, dance lessons, book signings, basketball tournaments and more!

Tuesday July 23 to Friday July 26

Culture of Life Café and Pavilion of LIFE continue

Wednesday July 24 and Friday July 26

Forum on the Dignity of the Human Person

The New York based World Youth Alliance will bring together philosophers, intellectuals, artists, clergy, professionals, politicians, and young people for a two-day discussion on the nature of the human person. Speakers will include George Weigel, author of Witness to Hope and expert on the life and philosophy of Pope John Paul II, and Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, a leading thinker on the role of faith in public life.

Thursday July 25

International Roundtable on the Human Person and the Free and Just Society

Selected young people will engage the Christian vision for the dignity of the human person and a free and just society during a one-day seminar with a panel of speakers including George Weigel and Richard John Neuhaus. Young leaders will develop a language for educating a secular society on the dignity of the human person. Participants must apply in advance by contacting the World Youth Alliance. See their website, www.wya-amj.org, for more details,

Friday July 26

Catholic Bioethics: Building a Culture of Life

The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute is planning an afternoon forum at St. Michael's University College to bring together university-aged youth who are studying or have an interest in health care and bioethics. Participation will be limited. For more details contact Geraldine Wong at the Institute by calling 416-926-2335 or e-mail bioethics.usmc@utoronto.ca.

Throughout the week.

Many other informal opportunities will exist throughout the week for pilgrims to take part in direct action educational projects in different parts of the city. Details of some of these events will be available beforehand while others will be organized during the week.

Pro-Life Group Registrations

Join together with hundreds of other pro-lifers under one group registration!

As a means of connecting pro-life youth from around North America and the world, Toronto Right to Life has set up a registration "group" with the World Youth Day Office. Using the information below, you can join your individual or group registration to a larger group of other pro-lifers. It's being called World Youth for Life . Registering under this group name means you'll generally be kept together for things like the morning catecheses sessions and the large events such as the Masses and social service projects. And for those who will be staying in town, it means you'll be in the same sleeping areas at night.

Information for group registration:

Registration Number: CO3777-1530
Group Name: World Youth for Life

For questions about the World Youth for Life Leaders' Convention and Day or for questions concerning pro-life group registrations, please contact:

Natalie Hudson
Executive Director, Toronto Right to Life
Phone: 416-483-7869
E-mail: nhudson@on.aibn.com

For questions about the Pavilion of LIFE or Culture of Life Café, please contact:

Kevin Belgrave
Director, National Campus Life Network
Phone: 416-483-7869
E-mail: director@ncln.ca

For more information on World Youth Days, see www.wyd2002.org

Kevin Belgrave is executive director of National Campus Life Network.